What you probably already know: More than three-quarters of women say that they would like to make a career change, and they are more likely than men to say that change would make them happier. However, financial and family responsibilities often prevent women from making the changes they want to make.
But Marissa Brassfield, founder and chief integrity officer of Ridiculously Efficient Inc., says more women than ever are exploring new career paths. Brassfield, who has coached more than 500 people one-on-one since 2007, says significantly more women sought her guidance in 2026 than in any previous year of her coaching career. About 80% of her clients are navigating some kind of transition. “It’s the best time to be an entrepreneur because we have so many more women starting businesses, creating communities, and sending the elevator back down,” she says.
Why it matters: For many women, a career change is less about finding a new job and more about finding that elusive work-life balance. Brassfield says burnout can be an important signal that something needs to change. Physical symptoms, difficulty getting out of bed and persistent exhaustion may indicate something more serious than a temporary rough patch.
She encourages women to ask themselves a simple question: "What happens if nothing changes in the next six months? Then expand it to a year."
Layoffs have added an urgency to the equation. A Catalyst survey found that 42% of women who left the workforce in 2025 had been laid off, while others chose to leave. The National Women's Law Center reports that the number of women in the U.S. labor force remained 633,000 below January levels as of August 2026. While not all those departures were due to layoffs, the figures highlight the uncertainty women face as they consider their next career moves.
What an expert recommends: Rather than abruptly quitting, Brassfield recommends testing new ideas while still earning a paycheck. Offering potential clients a workshop or online class can help test the waters. She also suggests writing down career accomplishments and reaching out to at least 10 people in their network for advice and introductions.
According to business software company Gusto, women launched 44% of new businesses in 2025 (down from 49% in 2024). Brassfield says professional experience can be an asset to aspiring entrepreneurs, who bring valuable industry knowledge and relationships to a new venture.
What happens next: Brassfield encourages women to rethink what success looks like, particularly when financial security and work-life balance seem at odds. One of her clients wanted to spend no more than 10 hours a week working while leaving plenty of time for coaching his child’s soccer team and volunteering at church every weekend. He achieved that goal in three months.
"The only thing you can count on is that change will continue, and time will march on," Brassfield says. Her advice? Focus on the work and people that bring you energy, and don't wait for the perfect moment to make a change. Entrepreneurship can be challenging, she acknowledges, but women can build businesses around the lives they actually want.
